March 4, 2003

INTRODUCTION TO OBJECTS AT SPC 2003
Synergex will soon introduce a powerful new model for writing Synergy software: Synergy objects. A new set of extensions to Synergy Language will enable you to declare and manipulate classes and objects within the Synergy/DE environment. Synergy objects will enable faster development of new programs, and will result in code that is easier to maintain and reuse.

Using Synergy objects will mean adopting a new programming paradigm. Start learning about this new paradigm at SPC 2003, where you will learn the basic concepts and principles of Synergy objects, as well as the language extensions that support them. Register for SPC 2003 on the Synergex Web site today!

"Don't miss out on this opportunity to get one-to-one informative, invaluable experience from top Synergex developers!"

Garfield Whyte
Southfield Systems
SPC 2003 - Birmingham attendee

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SYNERGY/DE 8.1: PASSING VARIABLE LENGTH DATA AND PARAMETERS LARGER THAN 64K TO xfSERVERPLUS
Synergy/DE 8.1 (released February 14) includes important new features for xfServerPlus users. These new features give you more flexibility when passing parameters from xfNetLink clients. You can now pass a memory handle as a parameter (which enables you to pass variable-length data and data that exceeds 64K), and you can now pass arrays that are larger than 64K.

Previously, you had to define the size of each parameter in your Synergy server routines so that xfServerPlus knew exactly what to expect. But what if you don't know the exact size? What if the size varies? To handle these situations and to enable you to pass parameters that are larger than 64K (the limit in previous versions), we now enable you to pass a memory handle as a parameter.

Note the following:

- Your Synergy server routine will need to declare the argument that receives the data as memory handle (i4). xfServerPlus will place the data in a memory area and pass the memory handle to your Synergy server routine.

- In the MDU, you'll need to specify a data type of "handle" for the parameter.

- For Java, COM, and .NET clients, the parameter is handled as a String, BSTR, and string (respectively).

- For Synergy clients, the argument is handled as a memory handle, so you must use the RCB_xxx routines to make remote calls. (You can't use %RXSUBR.) When setting the arguments in the routine call block with either RCB_SETARG or RCB_INSARG, you'll need to use the D_TYPE_HANDLE define and pass the memory handle as the data argument.

You can also pass arrays that are larger than 64K, as long as each element in the array is less than 64K. Note the following:

- Your Synergy server routine should declare the argument that receives the array in the normal manner (that is, as an array argument of a particular data type). Your Synergy server routine will need to know how to handle large arrays.

- For Java, COM, and .NET clients, you don't need to do anything special to pass a large array.

- For Synergy clients, you'll need to place the array in a memory handle, and you'll need to use the RCB_xxx routines to make the remote call. (You can't use %RXSUBR.) When setting the arguments in the routine call block with either RCB_SETARG or RCB_INSARG, you'll need to use the D_TYPE_MEMARG define and pass the memory handle as the data argument.

For more information on these features, see the Preparing Your Synergy Server Code section of the Developing Distributed Synergy Applications: Using xfNetLink and xfServerPlus manual.
(Attention HelpDesk customers: After clicking on this link, log into the Resource Center, after which you will be redirected to the contents page.)

For more information about Synergy/DE 8.1 visit the Synergex Web site.

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AUTOMATED SYSTEMS, INC. RELEASES INTERNET MODULE FOR SYNERGY/DE-BUILT INSITE BANKING SYSTEM
New system enables ASI's customers to access accounts online, anywhere, anytime.

Automated Systems, Inc. (ASI), one of the Midwest's largest networking services companies, announced that it has released an Internet module of their Insite Banking System software. The new system adds a Web interface, enabling customers to access their accounts online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It relies on Synergex's Synergy/DE xfServerPlus and xfNetLink products to connect the Web interface to ASI's Synergy/DE-built banking application routines.

You can read the entire press release on the Synergex Web site.

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SUPPORT TECH TIP: CONDITIONALLY COMPILING CODE

Q: How do I conditionally compile code for Microsoft Windows?

A: If you are building your application to run on both Windows and another platform (UNIX or OpenVMS), you may want to conditionally compile your code so that some sections of code are included while others are excluded when you build your application for Windows.

The DBLDIR:dbl.def file (installed with Synergy/DE) includes identifiers that enable you to do this. We recommend that you use D_GUI. (There are also ten OS_WINDOWSxxx identifiers, plus the OS_MSDOS identifier that you could use. However, we no longer recommend these because some of them will become obsolete with the introduction of 64-bit Windows—for example, OS_MSDOS and OS_WINDOWSNT).

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SYNERGY/DE?
Strike a pose! Synergy/DE is in the world of photography.

Based in Newton Abbot in Devon, England, Harrier LLC is the leading mail order film development company in the United Kingdom with a customer base of approximately four million. With workers ranging in number from 200-400 throughout the year, Harrier is one of the larger employers in the Devon area.

Harrier uses the Synergy/DE-built Abbots application to process orders for the company's mail order photo developing and printing business. All orders received are logged into the system, which is then updated with customer details. The Abbots system then produces dispatch documentation and sorting information. "The Abbots system collects all of the data necessary to help us analyze marketing trends and organize customer enquiries," said Andrew Bascombe, IT Manager at Harrier. "We are glad that we have created a system that is backed by reliable software development tools."

Harrier processes mostly 35mm film, although Advanced Photo System (APS) film currently constitutes almost 20 percent of Harrier's business. In addition, Harrier makes photo CDs and is looking into forming alliances with e-commerce companies to offer printing services for customers who use digital cameras. Although Harrier continues to see 35mm processing as the mainstay of their business, the company is also starting to do limited trials on Internet uploads.
http://www.truprint.co.uk

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EDUCATION AGENDA 2003
Register for a class that's right for you on the Synergex Web site!

- Synergy Language Essentials: March 24-28, 2003, Gold River, CA
- Synergy Language Essentials: May 12-16, 2003, Gold River, CA
- Synergy/DE UI Toolkit Essentials: June 16-20, 2003, Gold River, CA
- Synergy Language Essentials: September 8-12, 2003, Gold River, CA
- Synergy/DE UI Toolkit Essentials: September 15-19, 2003, Gold River, CA
- Synergy Language Essentials: December 1-5, 2003, At Your Desk
- Synergy/DE UI Toolkit Essentials: December 8-12, 2003, Gold River, CA

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